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“He’s reviewed us!” Zoe called out from the living room the next morning.
“Brandon?” Lauren and Annie looked at each other over the breakfast table. Annie sat on a chair while Lauren munched on her granola.
“What does it say?” Lauren’s stomach swirled, jumbling up the oats and dried fruit she’d just eaten.
“It’s all good,” Zoe assured her, walking into the kitchen with the laptop. “He says the coffee and cupcakes are great but he was disappointed he couldn’t try Ed’s pastries. Ooh – he also mentions Annie. Says she’s a cute cat and that customers love her hostess role.”
“Show me?”
Zoe placed the laptop on the kitchen table. “See?” She indicated the screen.
“Brrt?” Annie nudged Lauren’s shoulder.
“Here.” Zoe pointed at the device. “Look, Annie, there’s your name.” She tapped the screen.
“Brrt.” Annie sounded pleased.
“That’s a relief.” Lauren’s stomach settled back to normal.
“Hopefully his review will give us some new customers.” Zoe grinned. “And I know one customer who’s coming in today, so you’d better get those vanilla cupcakes in the oven.”
“Who’s the boss now?” Lauren teased, her cheeks suddenly hot. Just the mention of Mitch’s name made her blush. She had to get it together.
“Keep plying him with lattes and cupcakes and he might continue to mow the lawn forever,” Zoe kidded.
“You’re terrible!” Lauren tutted, but secretly she wondered what it would be like if Zoe’s words became true. And not just for the benefit of not needing to do yardwork.
After finishing breakfast, the three of them walked down the hallway to the café.
Lauren mixed up the vanilla cupcakes first, wanting to make sure they were ready by the time Mitch stopped by.
Soon after, Ed arrived, donning his big apron and nodding to Lauren before checking the ingredients for his pastries. He didn’t like to be interrupted while working.
If Brandon ever reviewed them again, she just hoped they had some of Ed’s pastries to tempt him with. Ed’s skill with pastry was one of the reasons she had so many customers – along with Annie’s hostess duties.
“Hey Ed, did you see our review?” Zoe popped her head into the kitchen. “Brandon loved our coffee and cupcakes.”
“Good,” Ed grunted, shaping a round of dough on the clean counter.
“Just wait until he tries one of your pastries,” Zoe continued. “Hey, I know! Why don’t I email Brandon and tell him to come back any time he likes to try one of Ed’s specialties?”
“Good idea,” Lauren told her cousin. She glanced at Ed, working the pastry, and back at Zoe.
Zoe nodded, miming zipped lips, and went back into the café.
Once the cupcakes were in the oven, Lauren slipped into the café as well.
“Everything’s ready and it’s not even 9.30.” Zoe sat at the counter, one leg swinging against the metal leg of the stool. “Should we open a little early?”
“Why not?” Lauren unlocked the front door. No customers clamoring to enter at 9.15. Darn.
Annie strolled around the room, as if checking all the chairs and tables were accounted for.
“I wonder when Mitch will come in today.” Zoe tapped her cheek.
“Make sure there’s a vanilla cupcake for him in case he comes in this afternoon,” Lauren said.
“Will do.” Zoe giggled. “You two are so cute. I just hope I’m not one hundred by the time he asks you out.”
“Stop that.” Lauren stifled a nervous giggle.
“You must know he likes you by now. He—”
The door opened. Gary strode in.
“I couldn’t believe my luck when I saw you were open already.” He smiled at Lauren and Zoe. Annie gave a grumble when she noticed he stood at the counter and not at the Please Wait to be Seated sign.
“What can we get you?” Lauren asked, her fingers poised on the register.
“A large cappuccino would be great.” He pulled out his wallet. “Hey, I saw that the new food critic posted a review for this place.”
“Yep, we read it this morning,” Zoe confirmed. “Hopefully it will bring in some extra business.”
“Did you get a review yet?” Lauren asked.
“No.” Gary frowned and shook his head. “But right now I think that’s a good thing.”
“Definitely.” Zoe nodded so hard, her brunette pixie bangs brushed her eyes. “Ooh, we should definitely have burgers for dinner one night.” She turned to Lauren.
“Good idea,” Lauren replied. She’d always had a great experience there, and it wouldn’t break her bank account either. “What about next week?”
“You girls are welcome any time.” Gary waved away the change Lauren tried to give him. “Put it in the tip jar.”
“Thanks.” Zoe beamed.
Lauren clinked the coins into the jar on the counter.
Gary checked his chunky silver watch. “I’ve got to get back to the diner.” His mouth tightened. “Cindy was so upset about what happened with that – critic – that she needed to take a couple of days off. I still can’t believe what that creep tried to do to her.” He shook his head as he left the café.
“Ooh.” Zoe stared after Gary.
“I know.” Lauren nodded. “He still seems angry about what happened.”
“I would be too.” Zoe paused. “Hey, I should have enough tip money by next week to cover a burger and fries.” She tried to lighten the mood.
“You don’t have any money at all?” An image of Zoe’s empty wallet flashed in front of Lauren’s eyes. “Do you want me to pay you early?”
“No, I’m fine.” Zoe waved away the offer. “I just don’t have any money in my wallet, that’s all. I’ve got some in the bank. I’m just trying to leave it in there.” She sighed. “Maybe we shouldn’t have splurged at the steakhouse Saturday night.”
“I hear you.” Lauren looked at Zoe’s regretful expression. She touched her cousin’s arm. “But I’m glad we did, despite how much it cost.” She realized she meant it. “You were right. Sometimes we should do something fun.”
“Next week burgers at Gary’s, then.” Zoe cheered up. “Good food and it’s affordable.”
“You’re on.”